CA1311934C - Method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axis - Google Patents
Method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axisInfo
- Publication number
- CA1311934C CA1311934C CA000601080A CA601080A CA1311934C CA 1311934 C CA1311934 C CA 1311934C CA 000601080 A CA000601080 A CA 000601080A CA 601080 A CA601080 A CA 601080A CA 1311934 C CA1311934 C CA 1311934C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- value
- sensor signal
- container
- liquid
- cavity
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F37/00—Details specific to washing machines covered by groups D06F21/00 - D06F25/00
- D06F37/20—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations
- D06F37/22—Mountings, e.g. resilient mountings, for the rotary receptacle, motor, tub or casing; Preventing or damping vibrations in machines with a receptacle rotating or oscillating about a horizontal axis
- D06F37/225—Damping vibrations by displacing, supplying or ejecting a material, e.g. liquid, into or from counterbalancing pockets
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/48—Preventing or reducing imbalance or noise
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
- D06F34/14—Arrangements for detecting or measuring specific parameters
- D06F34/16—Imbalance
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/21—Elements
- Y10T74/2109—Balancing for drum, e.g., washing machine or arm-type structure, etc., centrifuge, etc.
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
According to a method of balancing a container (10) which is rotating about an essentially horizontal axis, preferably a washing machine drum, the container is provided with cavities (15) evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and having openings (20) via which selectively liquid can be introduced in the respective cavity. A sensor (24) is provided for sensing vibrations caused by the rotation of the container and for emitting an electri-cal signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibra-tions. The container (10) is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read. A predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity (15) along the periphery of the drum. The sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the preceding sensed value, wherein if the value is lower than the preceding one a new dose of the predetermined amount is introduced in the selected cavity while if the value is equal to a or greater than the preceding one the predetermined amount is introduced in the immediate following cavity along the periphery.
The described sequence is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permissible value at which the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, higher than the first one. The sequence described is repeated for different rotational speed until the desired rotatio-nal speed has been reached and the sensor signal is lower than the predeter-mined value.
According to a method of balancing a container (10) which is rotating about an essentially horizontal axis, preferably a washing machine drum, the container is provided with cavities (15) evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and having openings (20) via which selectively liquid can be introduced in the respective cavity. A sensor (24) is provided for sensing vibrations caused by the rotation of the container and for emitting an electri-cal signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibra-tions. The container (10) is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read. A predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity (15) along the periphery of the drum. The sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the preceding sensed value, wherein if the value is lower than the preceding one a new dose of the predetermined amount is introduced in the selected cavity while if the value is equal to a or greater than the preceding one the predetermined amount is introduced in the immediate following cavity along the periphery.
The described sequence is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permissible value at which the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, higher than the first one. The sequence described is repeated for different rotational speed until the desired rotatio-nal speed has been reached and the sensor signal is lower than the predeter-mined value.
Description
A mechod of balancing a contAl~!er whlch totaces aboue an es6~nti.qllv horlzon-tal axls The present Inven~ion refets ~o a method of balanclng a contalner whlch rot~tes about an essentlally horl20ntal axis and whlch Is of the klnd Indlcated in the preamble of the appendlng claim 1.
ln wa6hln~ and 6pln-drying macllines rhe laundty repr~sent~ ~oca~Lng masses wh~ch are never exactly balanced with ~espect to ~he exls of rocatlon of the rotating contaniner, ~uch as a drum ot the like, in wh~ch the l~undry `I i6 placed. Accordingly, a~ a rute an essentlal imbalanc~, static ~nd dynamlc, develops which results In a radial fotce thich rotates abou~ ~he axis of rota-rion and a torque whlch ~urns wlth the ro~atlng axis and ~,vhlch is si~uated in a plane through the said axls. The ro~atln~ forc~ and totque, respectlvely, a~e causin~ 06cillations and vibrltion6 ~nvolving substantial problems in the construction of a washing or a 6pin-dryin~ machine which has to reslst the s~raln tbuæ developped.
1~he problems referred to occur as the rotating container is operated a~ a hl~h spinning speed and also when durln~ acceleratlon up to sald spinning speed a speed value is beln~ passed ~hrough which Is critical for the ro~arlng 6ystem and at whlch the osctllations and vibrations have a maxlmum 3 amplltude.
In US 3 117 ~26 there is dlsclo6ed a devlce for equlllbtation of the lmbalance forces as thcy occur. In ~he publication a washing machine i6 descrlbed whereln a rotaring drum have been provided with cavitles evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and In whieh water can be Introduced to compensate for the imbalance ca~sed by the unevenly discrl~uted laundry.
In ~he washing machlne ~here Is required a 6ensing device for Indlcating the magnltude and posi~ion, respec~lvely, of che Imbalance in the ~o~atlng drum. Moreover, a devlce is requlred which In dependence on informatton from the senslng devlce introduces the correct aml~unt of water in the rlght cavlty. By necesslty, the control sys~em used will become compllcated and cost demanding.
Primarlly, the object of ~he Invention Is to remedy the drawbacks lndlcated and to provlde A method by which a sensing device for sensing the magnl~ude and po~itlon of ~he Im~alance can be replaced by a slmpllfied device which only ha6 to Indlca~e ~he Instantaneous magnl~ude of ~he Im-. b~lance. ~1:
,,~ , q~
''',' .
~ 1311934 Another object of the invention is to provide a method for equilibration of imbalance forces resulting in a more rapid correction of an indicated imbalance allowing a substantial increase of the maximum permissible spinning speed.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a method of balancing a container which ratates about an essentially horizontal axis, such as a washing machine drum, the container being provided with cavities which are evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and have openings via which liquid can be selectively introduced in the respective cavity, a sensor being provided which senses vibrations caused by the rotation of the drum and which emits an electrical signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibrations, characterized by the following steps:
the container is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read, a predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity along the periphery of the container, the sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the previously read value, ir the value is lower than the previous one another dose of the predetermined amount o~ liquid is introduced in the selected cavity, while ir the value is equal to or greater than the previou~ value the predetermined amount i8 introduced in the cavlty that is next to follow along the said periphery, the sequence of successive filling of liquid in the different cavities, and reading of the sensor signal is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permis3ib}e value, the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, greater then the ~irst one, the sequence Or alternate filling Or liquid in the different caviti-s,~ reading Or the sensor signal and comparing of the actual value with the previous one is repeated for the different ~, , , ~ .
: . ., ,; ~ . . ~ . . :
. . : . . . . .
~ ~.
~" 131 1934 - 2a -rotational speed until the desired highest rotational speed has been reached and the sensor signal has a value lower than the predetermined value.
Preferred method steps are indicated in the appending sub-claims.
The invention will now be described in detail in connection with an embodiment with reference to the enclosed drawings.
Fig. 1 schematically shows a washing machine drum with a balancing device in a side view.
Fig. 2 is a right hand side view of the drum according to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a left hand side view of the drum of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, finally, is a simple block diagram for a balancing device for carrying out the method of the invention.
In the embodiment to be described below a washing machine drum 10 is ~ournalled for rotation about an essentially horizontal rotation axis 11. The drum, which is to be used in a front-load washing machine, is open at its left side in Fig.
1 for making possible the loading of the laundry. At its opposite side the drum is ~ournalled in a bearing 12 mounted in an end shield 13 which with a tub 14 forms an integral unit. The tub encloses the drum 10 and is only faintly outlined in Figs.
1-3.
The drum 10 has three containers 15 which are situated at the periphery thereof and to which water can be supplied for eguilibration of any drum imbalance that may occur. The containers are evenly distributed along the periphery of the drum, i.e. with a pitch of 120 degrees. For the supply of water to the containers via solenoid valves 17 three water tubes 16, one for each container, are connected to a water supply system.
Each of the water tubes 16 opens in front of an open annular ring 18 which rotates with the drum and which via a channel 19 is connected with its respective container. As shown in Fig. 1 liquid is introduced in the container 15 via an opening 20 in the "
--` 131 1934 - 2b -right end wall thereof, the said opening being positioned adjacent to that of the boundary walls of the container which is closest to the rotation axis. Draining of the containers can be effected via a ring 22 which is similar to the rings 18, however, situated at the open end of the drum surrounding the loading opening. The container is connected to the ring 22 via an opening 23 situated at essentially the same level in the container as the opening 20. The position chosen for the opening 23 in the ~.. , ., . ,., . ~, .. .
c~ all ~r results In thac watcr can be dr~ln~d from ~I~e cont~lner wh~n the ~Iruln 11~ ~COPI~U In thc posi~ion showA In Fig. 1. DlQin;l1g C:~n ~l~o tAke place when the drum Is rotatlng slowly. In ca6e of ehe drum rotatlng ac high speed the llquld In the coneainer will be forced cowards the perlphery of che drum and will therefore be kept In the contalner.
The nlethod of balanclng accordin~ to the Invention wlll now be de~ribed. It Is as6umed that the drum lO has been loaded wich laun~ly and th~t an auromatlc wash program Including a wash pha6e, a rin6e phase and a spln pha6e has been carrled out up to the polnt whare the sp~ne pha6e only Is left.
An e~sen~ial feature o~ the invencion 16 ~ha~ ~he drum Is n ~t ~e~ csr~Le(l up to ~he flna! spinning speed In one ~ingle step but in 6everal step6 where In each step ~alancing Is performed and where the next step Is not effected untll ~he Imbalance is below a prede~ermlned value. In the example eight steps have been chosen corresponding to the following sptnning speeds:
Al= 1~4 rpm nz ~ 175 rpm n~ = 240 rpm n~ = 330 tpm ns: 460 rpm n6 Z 6~5 rpm ; ~ n7 ~ 880 rpm n8 ~ 1200 rpm In each step ~alanclng Is carried oue by Inttoduction of a p~edetermined amount o~ water in one of the concalners 15. The predetermined amo~nt t8 measured by openlng of one of the solenoid valves turln~ a predetetmlned tlme perlod. In the 6ame way the ConCalner to be 6upplied Is determined by the solenold valve that i6 operated. The magnlcude ot rhe Imbalan;~ Is determlned by a vlbratlon sensor whlch can be deslgned in variou~ w~ys.
In the example a vlbratiol sensor 24 (fig. 4) h ~g been used in whlch a volcage generated whlGh represents tlle magnltude of the Imbalance. The vibratlon sen60r of the examp1e has been Islanufactured by che company Carl 8chenk AG under the name Vlbrometer 20 . The sen60r voltage 16 app-lled ~o a mlcrocompucer 25 \vl~lch performs the required comparl60n between the measurement value6 respectlvely from the 6en60r prior to and af~er tho Introduction of watel~ ln any of the concainers and In addi~ion between tbe measllrement value and a predetermlned reference value teprecentlng the~hlghest~ permissible Imbalance. Thls reference value can be dlfferent : . :
.:. , : : . . . . . :
~" 131 1934 ~or the d~fferene splnnlng sp~ds nl - n~. The rnlcrocomputer emlta control sl~nals ~vhlch are appll~d co a conttol u--it ~6. Thls unit controls n 6plnnlng motot 27 which drlves the washlng machlne drum 10 and Is of the i~C mo~or type.
~ typical balancing operatlon Can be carrled out In the following way.
The microcomputer actlvates one of the solenold valves 17 during a prede-eermlned tlme perlod In order for the predetermlned Amount of water to be Introduced ln the correspondlng container 15 vl~ che watet tube 16 the ring 18 the channe119 and tlle openln~ ~0. Then ~he slgnal Prom th~
vibratlon sensor is read and the microco~puter determlnes if ehe imbalance has declined as a result of the predetermined amoun~ of ~vater Introduced ln the contalner. lf positiv another dose of the prede~ermlned amounc or water is introduced in ~he same container and a ne-v detetmlnation is made by the mlctocompueer~ The operation 16 repeated ~Inll no furcher reduction of the imbalance can be reglstered. In a next 6tep che mlctocompucer activates the next solenoid valve so that che predetermined amount of w3ter i6 introduced In the nexr contalner w)llcn Is belng r~ d r~p~n~lly ulltll ~also hete no futther teduction of the Imbalance can be regiseered. The opetation is then tepeated for the remailling contailler alld so again for the other ones tlntll the value read from ~he vlbtation sensor 16 below the predetermlnet teference value correspondlng to the hlghest permisslble Imbalance. ~fter chae a slgnal Is applled to the control unlt 2~ to control ~ the motor ~7 co the next hlgher splnnlng speed. In thc way de6cr~bed the balanclng operatlon4 are repeated for each splnnlng speed until the hlghest 6peed has be~n swltched In and balanclng has been performed. The compatlson betweon the accual mea6u-ement value and the refetence value cortesponding to the h~hese permiss~ble !mbalanc¢ takes plac~ regularly as the co~nparlson I s~carrled 0ut betwecn the measurement values prlor to and afte~ a flll~ng sequence. The ~swlechlng-ln o~ ~he next l~igher sp~nnlng speed take6 place a~ soon as thè~ measurement~valiue 18 lower thall che referellce value. Thls may~happen already afCer tbe ~ncroductlon of che flrst~ dose In the flr~t con~a~ner. ~ ~
Accordlng tO a ~nodlfled method ln add~t~on to the comparison between the measurement ~values from the vlbratlon sensor pr~or to and after che Introduc~lon of tbe predetermined amount of w;~ter tespectl~rely In a ~on-ealner another comparlson can be rnade. This compatlson i6 made becween che ~ mea6urement value taken after ~he said introduct~on o~ the predetermlned a~mounc ~ of ~watcr and ~he lowesc m asurement value read during the comple~e prior b~ nclllg oper~tion. rhenl a furthe~ ctlterion fo~ ano~her dose of the predetermllleci amourlt of water to be introduced in the actual contalner wlll be that the addi~lonal compari~on does not Indlcate an increase of th~ measurement value. This means ~hat the last me~surement value can be less than os equal to che lowest measurement value during the prlor par~ of the balancin~ oper~tion.
1n the microcomputer a further reference value has been stored whlch 16 a limlt value correspondlng to an imbalance whlch may involve ri6ks fot the 06cilla~1ng 6ys~em. During each balancin~ op~rarion a comparison between the me~sur~ment value ftom ~he vibration sensor and l:he lirmit value also takes place repeatedly. In case the llmlt value 16 e~ceeded the motor 27 Is stopped and the contalners are emp~led either by each of che containers one at a time durin~ a 6uitable time petiod taking ~he positlon shown In Fig. I or by rota~ing the drum a~ a low ~peed. The coll~alnets are always emptied prior to each splnning pha6e anci 6uitably also after such phase.
ln case the lirllit v~lue has been exceeded and the contaillers drained also the tub 14 of the machine Is drained before the drum is agaln driven up to the lowest splnning speed.
The descrlbed b~lancing method can be used in aueomatlc washlng machines and spln dryers havlng various types of control devices. The mlcto-computer used In ~he example rnay be replaced by s~anciard Ivgic circuits or by a mlcro cl~cuit whlch h~g been deslgned especially fvr this purpoje.
ln addltlon the vlbratlon sen60r 24 can be replaced by an Imb~lance detector oi~ any other klnd. For example, changes In the motor current caused by the Imbalance can be used for determlnln~ of the ma~nitude of s~ici Imbalance.
Summarlzlng, In practlcal tests the balancing method described has shown to result in such low values of the Imbatance that ~he spinnlng cpeed could be Increased substantially withou~ any rlsks of unperrnls61ble straln on the par~s of the machine supportln~ ~he 06cillatln~ ~ystem comprlsing the tub and the rotatlng drum.
~ . ,. ~ , . , ~ , . , , :. :
.
' .
., ~ .
.. . .
.. .. ~ . , .
. ~ . .
ln wa6hln~ and 6pln-drying macllines rhe laundty repr~sent~ ~oca~Lng masses wh~ch are never exactly balanced with ~espect to ~he exls of rocatlon of the rotating contaniner, ~uch as a drum ot the like, in wh~ch the l~undry `I i6 placed. Accordingly, a~ a rute an essentlal imbalanc~, static ~nd dynamlc, develops which results In a radial fotce thich rotates abou~ ~he axis of rota-rion and a torque whlch ~urns wlth the ro~atlng axis and ~,vhlch is si~uated in a plane through the said axls. The ro~atln~ forc~ and totque, respectlvely, a~e causin~ 06cillations and vibrltion6 ~nvolving substantial problems in the construction of a washing or a 6pin-dryin~ machine which has to reslst the s~raln tbuæ developped.
1~he problems referred to occur as the rotating container is operated a~ a hl~h spinning speed and also when durln~ acceleratlon up to sald spinning speed a speed value is beln~ passed ~hrough which Is critical for the ro~arlng 6ystem and at whlch the osctllations and vibrations have a maxlmum 3 amplltude.
In US 3 117 ~26 there is dlsclo6ed a devlce for equlllbtation of the lmbalance forces as thcy occur. In ~he publication a washing machine i6 descrlbed whereln a rotaring drum have been provided with cavitles evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and In whieh water can be Introduced to compensate for the imbalance ca~sed by the unevenly discrl~uted laundry.
In ~he washing machlne ~here Is required a 6ensing device for Indlcating the magnltude and posi~ion, respec~lvely, of che Imbalance in the ~o~atlng drum. Moreover, a devlce is requlred which In dependence on informatton from the senslng devlce introduces the correct aml~unt of water in the rlght cavlty. By necesslty, the control sys~em used will become compllcated and cost demanding.
Primarlly, the object of ~he Invention Is to remedy the drawbacks lndlcated and to provlde A method by which a sensing device for sensing the magnl~ude and po~itlon of ~he Im~alance can be replaced by a slmpllfied device which only ha6 to Indlca~e ~he Instantaneous magnl~ude of ~he Im-. b~lance. ~1:
,,~ , q~
''',' .
~ 1311934 Another object of the invention is to provide a method for equilibration of imbalance forces resulting in a more rapid correction of an indicated imbalance allowing a substantial increase of the maximum permissible spinning speed.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a method of balancing a container which ratates about an essentially horizontal axis, such as a washing machine drum, the container being provided with cavities which are evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and have openings via which liquid can be selectively introduced in the respective cavity, a sensor being provided which senses vibrations caused by the rotation of the drum and which emits an electrical signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibrations, characterized by the following steps:
the container is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read, a predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity along the periphery of the container, the sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the previously read value, ir the value is lower than the previous one another dose of the predetermined amount o~ liquid is introduced in the selected cavity, while ir the value is equal to or greater than the previou~ value the predetermined amount i8 introduced in the cavlty that is next to follow along the said periphery, the sequence of successive filling of liquid in the different cavities, and reading of the sensor signal is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permis3ib}e value, the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, greater then the ~irst one, the sequence Or alternate filling Or liquid in the different caviti-s,~ reading Or the sensor signal and comparing of the actual value with the previous one is repeated for the different ~, , , ~ .
: . ., ,; ~ . . ~ . . :
. . : . . . . .
~ ~.
~" 131 1934 - 2a -rotational speed until the desired highest rotational speed has been reached and the sensor signal has a value lower than the predetermined value.
Preferred method steps are indicated in the appending sub-claims.
The invention will now be described in detail in connection with an embodiment with reference to the enclosed drawings.
Fig. 1 schematically shows a washing machine drum with a balancing device in a side view.
Fig. 2 is a right hand side view of the drum according to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a left hand side view of the drum of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4, finally, is a simple block diagram for a balancing device for carrying out the method of the invention.
In the embodiment to be described below a washing machine drum 10 is ~ournalled for rotation about an essentially horizontal rotation axis 11. The drum, which is to be used in a front-load washing machine, is open at its left side in Fig.
1 for making possible the loading of the laundry. At its opposite side the drum is ~ournalled in a bearing 12 mounted in an end shield 13 which with a tub 14 forms an integral unit. The tub encloses the drum 10 and is only faintly outlined in Figs.
1-3.
The drum 10 has three containers 15 which are situated at the periphery thereof and to which water can be supplied for eguilibration of any drum imbalance that may occur. The containers are evenly distributed along the periphery of the drum, i.e. with a pitch of 120 degrees. For the supply of water to the containers via solenoid valves 17 three water tubes 16, one for each container, are connected to a water supply system.
Each of the water tubes 16 opens in front of an open annular ring 18 which rotates with the drum and which via a channel 19 is connected with its respective container. As shown in Fig. 1 liquid is introduced in the container 15 via an opening 20 in the "
--` 131 1934 - 2b -right end wall thereof, the said opening being positioned adjacent to that of the boundary walls of the container which is closest to the rotation axis. Draining of the containers can be effected via a ring 22 which is similar to the rings 18, however, situated at the open end of the drum surrounding the loading opening. The container is connected to the ring 22 via an opening 23 situated at essentially the same level in the container as the opening 20. The position chosen for the opening 23 in the ~.. , ., . ,., . ~, .. .
c~ all ~r results In thac watcr can be dr~ln~d from ~I~e cont~lner wh~n the ~Iruln 11~ ~COPI~U In thc posi~ion showA In Fig. 1. DlQin;l1g C:~n ~l~o tAke place when the drum Is rotatlng slowly. In ca6e of ehe drum rotatlng ac high speed the llquld In the coneainer will be forced cowards the perlphery of che drum and will therefore be kept In the contalner.
The nlethod of balanclng accordin~ to the Invention wlll now be de~ribed. It Is as6umed that the drum lO has been loaded wich laun~ly and th~t an auromatlc wash program Including a wash pha6e, a rin6e phase and a spln pha6e has been carrled out up to the polnt whare the sp~ne pha6e only Is left.
An e~sen~ial feature o~ the invencion 16 ~ha~ ~he drum Is n ~t ~e~ csr~Le(l up to ~he flna! spinning speed In one ~ingle step but in 6everal step6 where In each step ~alancing Is performed and where the next step Is not effected untll ~he Imbalance is below a prede~ermlned value. In the example eight steps have been chosen corresponding to the following sptnning speeds:
Al= 1~4 rpm nz ~ 175 rpm n~ = 240 rpm n~ = 330 tpm ns: 460 rpm n6 Z 6~5 rpm ; ~ n7 ~ 880 rpm n8 ~ 1200 rpm In each step ~alanclng Is carried oue by Inttoduction of a p~edetermined amount o~ water in one of the concalners 15. The predetermined amo~nt t8 measured by openlng of one of the solenoid valves turln~ a predetetmlned tlme perlod. In the 6ame way the ConCalner to be 6upplied Is determined by the solenold valve that i6 operated. The magnlcude ot rhe Imbalan;~ Is determlned by a vlbratlon sensor whlch can be deslgned in variou~ w~ys.
In the example a vlbratiol sensor 24 (fig. 4) h ~g been used in whlch a volcage generated whlGh represents tlle magnltude of the Imbalance. The vibratlon sen60r of the examp1e has been Islanufactured by che company Carl 8chenk AG under the name Vlbrometer 20 . The sen60r voltage 16 app-lled ~o a mlcrocompucer 25 \vl~lch performs the required comparl60n between the measurement value6 respectlvely from the 6en60r prior to and af~er tho Introduction of watel~ ln any of the concainers and In addi~ion between tbe measllrement value and a predetermlned reference value teprecentlng the~hlghest~ permissible Imbalance. Thls reference value can be dlfferent : . :
.:. , : : . . . . . :
~" 131 1934 ~or the d~fferene splnnlng sp~ds nl - n~. The rnlcrocomputer emlta control sl~nals ~vhlch are appll~d co a conttol u--it ~6. Thls unit controls n 6plnnlng motot 27 which drlves the washlng machlne drum 10 and Is of the i~C mo~or type.
~ typical balancing operatlon Can be carrled out In the following way.
The microcomputer actlvates one of the solenold valves 17 during a prede-eermlned tlme perlod In order for the predetermlned Amount of water to be Introduced ln the correspondlng container 15 vl~ che watet tube 16 the ring 18 the channe119 and tlle openln~ ~0. Then ~he slgnal Prom th~
vibratlon sensor is read and the microco~puter determlnes if ehe imbalance has declined as a result of the predetermined amoun~ of ~vater Introduced ln the contalner. lf positiv another dose of the prede~ermlned amounc or water is introduced in ~he same container and a ne-v detetmlnation is made by the mlctocompueer~ The operation 16 repeated ~Inll no furcher reduction of the imbalance can be reglstered. In a next 6tep che mlctocompucer activates the next solenoid valve so that che predetermined amount of w3ter i6 introduced In the nexr contalner w)llcn Is belng r~ d r~p~n~lly ulltll ~also hete no futther teduction of the Imbalance can be regiseered. The opetation is then tepeated for the remailling contailler alld so again for the other ones tlntll the value read from ~he vlbtation sensor 16 below the predetermlnet teference value correspondlng to the hlghest permisslble Imbalance. ~fter chae a slgnal Is applled to the control unlt 2~ to control ~ the motor ~7 co the next hlgher splnnlng speed. In thc way de6cr~bed the balanclng operatlon4 are repeated for each splnnlng speed until the hlghest 6peed has be~n swltched In and balanclng has been performed. The compatlson betweon the accual mea6u-ement value and the refetence value cortesponding to the h~hese permiss~ble !mbalanc¢ takes plac~ regularly as the co~nparlson I s~carrled 0ut betwecn the measurement values prlor to and afte~ a flll~ng sequence. The ~swlechlng-ln o~ ~he next l~igher sp~nnlng speed take6 place a~ soon as thè~ measurement~valiue 18 lower thall che referellce value. Thls may~happen already afCer tbe ~ncroductlon of che flrst~ dose In the flr~t con~a~ner. ~ ~
Accordlng tO a ~nodlfled method ln add~t~on to the comparison between the measurement ~values from the vlbratlon sensor pr~or to and after che Introduc~lon of tbe predetermined amount of w;~ter tespectl~rely In a ~on-ealner another comparlson can be rnade. This compatlson i6 made becween che ~ mea6urement value taken after ~he said introduct~on o~ the predetermlned a~mounc ~ of ~watcr and ~he lowesc m asurement value read during the comple~e prior b~ nclllg oper~tion. rhenl a furthe~ ctlterion fo~ ano~her dose of the predetermllleci amourlt of water to be introduced in the actual contalner wlll be that the addi~lonal compari~on does not Indlcate an increase of th~ measurement value. This means ~hat the last me~surement value can be less than os equal to che lowest measurement value during the prlor par~ of the balancin~ oper~tion.
1n the microcomputer a further reference value has been stored whlch 16 a limlt value correspondlng to an imbalance whlch may involve ri6ks fot the 06cilla~1ng 6ys~em. During each balancin~ op~rarion a comparison between the me~sur~ment value ftom ~he vibration sensor and l:he lirmit value also takes place repeatedly. In case the llmlt value 16 e~ceeded the motor 27 Is stopped and the contalners are emp~led either by each of che containers one at a time durin~ a 6uitable time petiod taking ~he positlon shown In Fig. I or by rota~ing the drum a~ a low ~peed. The coll~alnets are always emptied prior to each splnning pha6e anci 6uitably also after such phase.
ln case the lirllit v~lue has been exceeded and the contaillers drained also the tub 14 of the machine Is drained before the drum is agaln driven up to the lowest splnning speed.
The descrlbed b~lancing method can be used in aueomatlc washlng machines and spln dryers havlng various types of control devices. The mlcto-computer used In ~he example rnay be replaced by s~anciard Ivgic circuits or by a mlcro cl~cuit whlch h~g been deslgned especially fvr this purpoje.
ln addltlon the vlbratlon sen60r 24 can be replaced by an Imb~lance detector oi~ any other klnd. For example, changes In the motor current caused by the Imbalance can be used for determlnln~ of the ma~nitude of s~ici Imbalance.
Summarlzlng, In practlcal tests the balancing method described has shown to result in such low values of the Imbatance that ~he spinnlng cpeed could be Increased substantially withou~ any rlsks of unperrnls61ble straln on the par~s of the machine supportln~ ~he 06cillatln~ ~ystem comprlsing the tub and the rotatlng drum.
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.
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. ~ . .
Claims (6)
1. A method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axis, such as a washing machine drum, the container being provided with cavities which are evenly distributed along the periphery thereof and have openings via which liquid can be selectively introduced in the respective cavity, a sensor being provided which senses vibrations caused by the rotation of the drum and which emits an electrical signal the magnitude of which is a measure of the magnitude of the vibrations, characterized by the following steps:
the container is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read, a predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity along the periphery of the container, the sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the previously read value, if the value is lower than the previous one another dose of the predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in the selected cavity, while if the value is equal to or greater than the previous value the predetermined amount is introduced in the cavity that is next to follow along the said periphery, the sequence of successive filling of liquid in the different cavities, and reading of the sensor signal is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permissible value, the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, greater then the first one, the sequence of alternate filling of liquid in the different cavities, reading of the sensor signal and comparing of the actual value with the previous one is repeated for the different rotational speed until the desired highest rotational speed has been reached and the sensor signal has a value lower than the predetermined value.
the container is brought to rotate at a first rotational speed and the sensor signal is read, a predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in a randomly selected cavity along the periphery of the container, the sensor signal is again read and the value is compared with the previously read value, if the value is lower than the previous one another dose of the predetermined amount of liquid is introduced in the selected cavity, while if the value is equal to or greater than the previous value the predetermined amount is introduced in the cavity that is next to follow along the said periphery, the sequence of successive filling of liquid in the different cavities, and reading of the sensor signal is repeated until the sensor signal is lower than a predetermined, permissible value, the container is brought to rotate at a second rotational speed, greater then the first one, the sequence of alternate filling of liquid in the different cavities, reading of the sensor signal and comparing of the actual value with the previous one is repeated for the different rotational speed until the desired highest rotational speed has been reached and the sensor signal has a value lower than the predetermined value.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that prior to starting of a rotation operation the cavities distributed along the periphery of the drum are emptied of liquid.
3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the cavities are emptied of liquid prior to as well as after a rotation operation.
4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that one measurement value, the limit value, of the sensor signal corresponding to the greatest permissible imbalance is determined, that during the rotation operation the sensor signal is repeatedly compared with the limit value, that if the limit value is exceeded the rotation operation is interrupted and all cavities are emptied of liquid, and that a new rotation operation is initiated.
5. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that measurement values of the sensor signal is repeatedly read during periods (Tx + Ty) where Tx is the time period in which a dose of the predetermined amount is introduced in a cavity and Ty is the time period between two successive fillings, that the lowest value in each period is stored, that each such lowest measurement value in a first comparison is compared with the lowest measurement value in the immediately preceding time period, and that each such measurement value in a second comparison is compared with the lowest measurement value achieved during a time comprising all periods, the condition for another dose to be introduced in a cavity after a first dose of the predetermined amount has been introduced in the said cavity being dependent on the first comparison indicating a decrease of the sensor signal and at the same time the second comparison does not indicate an increase of the sensor signal.
6. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the second comparison is carried out only at lower rotational speeds.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE8802011A SE461279B (en) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-05-30 | METHOD FOR BALANCING A CIRCUIT AND A SIGNIFICANT HORIZONTAL AXEL ROTARY BEHAVIOR |
| SE8802011-0 | 1988-05-30 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1311934C true CA1311934C (en) | 1992-12-29 |
Family
ID=20372463
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000601080A Expired - Fee Related CA1311934C (en) | 1988-05-30 | 1989-05-29 | Method of balancing a container which rotates about an essentially horizontal axis |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4991247A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0371116B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH02504483A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU607338B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1311934C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE68907322T2 (en) |
| SE (1) | SE461279B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1989012132A1 (en) |
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| DE4020554A1 (en) * | 1990-06-28 | 1992-01-02 | Licentia Gmbh | Device for equalising imbalance in washing during spinning - in drum washing machines, with chambers filled with imbalance liquid |
| US5280660A (en) * | 1992-10-05 | 1994-01-25 | Pellerin Milnor Corporation | Centrifugal extracting machine having balancing system |
| US5490436A (en) * | 1994-03-17 | 1996-02-13 | At&T Corp. | Liquid-chamber apparatus for active, dynamic balancing of rotating machinery |
| US5526657A (en) * | 1994-08-19 | 1996-06-18 | Maytag Corporation | Integrated tub and cabinet structure |
| US5711170A (en) * | 1994-08-19 | 1998-01-27 | Maytag Corporation | Integrated tub and cabinet structure |
| US5561993A (en) * | 1995-06-14 | 1996-10-08 | Honeywell Inc. | Self balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US5582040A (en) * | 1995-08-09 | 1996-12-10 | Khan; Aman U. | Water balancing apparatus for horizontal axis and vertical axis laundry appliances |
| KR0127636Y1 (en) * | 1995-08-29 | 1998-12-15 | 김광호 | Vibration decreasing apparatus of drum washing machine |
| DE19544844C1 (en) * | 1995-12-01 | 1997-04-10 | Daimler Benz Ag | Process to operate energy store, especially using 60 000 rpm flywheel |
| IT1289380B1 (en) * | 1996-05-30 | 1998-10-02 | Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodome | WASHING MACHINE WITH PERFECTED DYNAMIC BALANCING PROCEDURE |
| JPH1128298A (en) * | 1997-07-11 | 1999-02-02 | Toshiba Corp | Drum type washing machine |
| US5913951A (en) * | 1997-12-17 | 1999-06-22 | Maytag Corporation | Radially oriented motor for a fluid balance ring |
| US6205603B1 (en) * | 1997-12-19 | 2001-03-27 | Maytag Corporation | Front water injection for front loading washing machine |
| US6129768A (en) * | 1998-11-06 | 2000-10-10 | Maytag Corporation | Method and apparatus for operating an automatic balancing system |
| US6282965B1 (en) * | 1998-11-20 | 2001-09-04 | Emerson Electric Co. | Method and apparatus for detecting washing machine tub imbalance |
| US6477867B1 (en) * | 1998-12-23 | 2002-11-12 | Fisher & Paykel Limited | Laundry appliance |
| GB9924832D0 (en) * | 1999-10-21 | 1999-12-22 | Primus N V | Method of balancing an object which rotates about an axis |
| KR20010088208A (en) * | 2000-03-11 | 2001-09-26 | 구자홍 | Balancer with Drum Washing Machine |
| US6507799B2 (en) | 2001-02-26 | 2003-01-14 | Honeywell International Inc. | Method and apparatus for reducing microprocessor speed requirements in data acquisition applications |
| JP2002355491A (en) * | 2001-03-28 | 2002-12-10 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Washing machine |
| US6532422B1 (en) | 2001-06-29 | 2003-03-11 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Simultaneous injection method and system for a self-balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US6742208B2 (en) * | 2001-08-24 | 2004-06-01 | Maytag Corporation | Clothes washing machine incorporating noise reduction system |
| US6701561B2 (en) * | 2001-09-10 | 2004-03-09 | Honeywell International Inc. | Method and system for detecting fluid injection from stationary to rotating members |
| US6665625B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2003-12-16 | Honeywell International Inc | Energy-based thresholds applied dynamic balancing |
| US6622105B2 (en) | 2001-09-10 | 2003-09-16 | Honeywell International Inc. | Dynamic correlation extension for a self-balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US6775870B2 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2004-08-17 | Honeywell International Inc. | Data manipulation method and system for a self-balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US6647790B2 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2003-11-18 | Honeywell International Inc. | Fixed-bandwidth correlation window method and system for a self-balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US6662682B2 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2003-12-16 | Honeywell International Inc. | Dynamic balancing application mass placement |
| US6681430B2 (en) * | 2001-11-15 | 2004-01-27 | Honeywell International Inc. | Method and system for mechanizing simultaneous multi-actuator actions applied to dynamic balancing |
| US6546354B1 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2003-04-08 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Resonance identification extension for a self-balancing rotatable apparatus |
| US6795792B2 (en) * | 2001-11-15 | 2004-09-21 | Honeywell International Inc. | Continuous flow method and system for placement of balancing fluid on a rotating device requiring dynamic balancing |
| US6687572B2 (en) | 2001-11-15 | 2004-02-03 | Honeywell International Inc. | Supervisory method and system for improved control model updates applied to dynamic balancing |
| US7039976B2 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2006-05-09 | Maytag Corporation | Braking control system for a washing machine |
| US20050210929A1 (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2005-09-29 | George Paul E Ii | Balancing fluid flow arrangement in an inner tub of a washing machine having an out-of-balance correction system |
| DE102005028253B3 (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2006-11-02 | Emz-Hanauer Gmbh & Co. Kgaa | Device and method to detect movement in a rotating component of a household appliance caused by imbalance has movable mass spring and damper with mass moving outwards above a given imbalance frequency |
| KR101428477B1 (en) * | 2007-01-24 | 2014-08-12 | 삼성전자 주식회사 | Washing machine and control method thereof |
| EP2260136B1 (en) * | 2008-03-11 | 2011-08-17 | Aktiebolaget Electrolux | A method for processing laundry, and a laundry processing device |
| US8930031B2 (en) | 2008-12-17 | 2015-01-06 | Fisher & Paykel Appliances Limited | Laundry machine |
| US9428854B2 (en) | 2010-07-30 | 2016-08-30 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Method and apparatus for balancing an unbalanced load in a washing machine |
| US8468631B2 (en) | 2010-09-28 | 2013-06-25 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method for controlling a laundry treating appliance based on a floor parameter |
| US9003838B2 (en) | 2010-12-08 | 2015-04-14 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
| US8991223B2 (en) * | 2010-12-08 | 2015-03-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Laundry treating appliance with balancing system |
| CN111101338B (en) * | 2018-10-25 | 2022-05-31 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Balance control method and device of clothes treatment device and clothes treatment device |
| CN111286924B (en) * | 2018-12-10 | 2022-08-26 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Clothes treating apparatus |
| CN114541089A (en) * | 2020-11-26 | 2022-05-27 | 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 | Clothes treatment equipment, rotation balance control method and device thereof and storage medium |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3117926A (en) * | 1958-11-28 | 1964-01-14 | Pellerin Corp Milnor | Automatic imbalance control system for a clothes washing machine |
| DE1108170B (en) * | 1958-12-31 | 1961-06-08 | Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie | Device for balancing out the unbalance in washing machines and spin dryers with a horizontal shaft |
| SU914685A1 (en) * | 1980-03-28 | 1982-03-23 | Ts Pk T B Glavsantekhproma | Washing and squeezing machine |
| IT1139366B (en) * | 1980-06-09 | 1986-09-24 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | DRY CLEANING MACHINE |
| DE3141901C2 (en) * | 1981-10-22 | 1986-06-19 | Hoesch Ag, 4600 Dortmund | Combined washing machine and spin dryer or the like. |
| DE3510950A1 (en) * | 1985-03-26 | 1986-10-02 | Hofmann Werkstatt-Technik GmbH, 6102 Pfungstadt | METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY BALANCING A BALANCE OF A ROTOR, ESPECIALLY A GRINDING DISC, AND CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT THEREFOR |
| WO1988007186A1 (en) * | 1987-03-19 | 1988-09-22 | Leningradskoe Vysshee Inzhenernoe Morskoe Uchilisc | Device for automatic balancing of abrasive disks |
-
1988
- 1988-05-30 SE SE8802011A patent/SE461279B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1989
- 1989-05-23 WO PCT/SE1989/000288 patent/WO1989012132A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1989-05-23 EP EP89906203A patent/EP0371116B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1989-05-23 JP JP1505755A patent/JPH02504483A/en active Pending
- 1989-05-23 DE DE89906203T patent/DE68907322T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-05-23 AU AU36848/89A patent/AU607338B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1989-05-23 US US07/460,188 patent/US4991247A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1989-05-29 CA CA000601080A patent/CA1311934C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH02504483A (en) | 1990-12-20 |
| DE68907322D1 (en) | 1993-07-29 |
| SE8802011L (en) | 1989-12-01 |
| SE8802011D0 (en) | 1988-05-30 |
| US4991247A (en) | 1991-02-12 |
| DE68907322T2 (en) | 1994-01-20 |
| AU3684889A (en) | 1990-01-05 |
| SE461279B (en) | 1990-01-29 |
| EP0371116B1 (en) | 1993-06-23 |
| WO1989012132A1 (en) | 1989-12-14 |
| EP0371116A1 (en) | 1990-06-06 |
| AU607338B2 (en) | 1991-02-28 |
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